Blind Veterans UK supports over 300 former Gunners now living with severe sight loss

Posted 09/12/15

Blind Veterans UK, a national military charity, is currently supporting just over 300 former Gunners who are now living with severe sight loss.

The charity’s free, lifelong support to Armed Forces and National Service veterans includes training, rehabilitation, employment advice, emotional support and the opportunity to take part in activities ranging from sports such as archery through to arts and crafts as well as social events.

Blind Veterans UK focuses on providing veterans with the skills to discover a life beyond sight loss by giving veterans the skills to learn how to live independently. Blind Veterans UK gives veterans the ability to live safely in their own homes and to continue to enjoy living in their own communities.

Glynis Gillam, welfare group’s manager, said:

“I am proud that as a charity we provide practical and emotional support to help veterans and their families, enabling those that have served their country to live independently.”

Raymond Anstee, 90, served in the Royal Artillery during the 1940’s. His service took him overseas to India and then on to Singapore and Malaya. Raymond has said of Blind Veterans UK’s support:

“I consider myself very fortunate to have found out about Blind Veterans UK and I’m very glad I got in touch with them. Their support has been wonderful. I’ve been provided with equipment and I’ve met a lot of veterans through the charity who have become friends.”

Blind Veterans UK is currently supporting more veterans like Raymond than ever before. However, there are tens of thousands of ex-Service men and women who are thought to be eligible for support from Blind Veterans UK but are not currently receiving support from the charity as they either haven’t heard of Blind Veterans UK, or do not realise they are eligible for its support.

Blind Veterans UK is the national charity for blind and vision impaired ex-Service men and women, providing vital practical and emotional support to help veterans discover life beyond sight loss. The charity has three training centres in Brighton, Sheffield and Llandudno, North Wales and a network of welfare officers around the UK.

If you are, or know of, a blind and vision impaired ex-Service man or woman who is now battling severe sight loss, call 0800 389 7979 or go to www.noonealone.org.uk now to find out how Blind Veterans UK could help.